9th UNWTO ASIA/PACIFIC EXECUTIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON TOURISM POLICY AND STRATEGY Community-based Tourism Development in Cambodia 28 April-01 May 2015, Bohol, Philippines Presented by Mr. Sok Sokun Director, Planning and Development Department, Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia
OUTLINE 1 2 CBT Development Initiatives CBT/CBET Potential in Cambodia 3 Small Scale Model Development 4 Improving market assess for the poor in Central Cambodia Project
Tourism in Cambodia Tourism in Cambodia is based on Its abundant cultural and natural resources and development is relied on the sustainable principles and responsibilities Recognized as Green Gold and greatly contributed to socio-economic development: Job creation, income generation, and poverty alleviation.
In the National Tourism Strategic Plan, community tourism and ecotourism were stated as priority sector for tourism development To support and push the development of CBT, the ministry now in process developing ecotourism policy, laws and interministrial circulation. There are 56 tourism communities throughout Cambodia Creative awareness of tourism benefits and environmental and cultural conservation (conduct awareness program) CHAMBOK Community Based Tourism http://chambok.org 4
CBT/CBET Potential in Cambodia Tonle Sap Northeast Coastal Zone Cardamom Mountain
Small Scale Model Contributing to environmental Conservation Effective Mechanism for rural areas Community-based Tourism Small Scale Model Direct Benefit to the local communities Linking with nature Empowering to the local communities 6
Case Study Improving market assess for the poor in Central Cambodia (Kampongthom Province) in Sambor Preikuk. JFPR 9156-CAM Project 7
INTRODUCTION Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) Project Improving Market Access for the Poor in Central Cambodia Project 2011-2014 successfully demonstrated the benefits of pro-poor tourism, the projection of a highly valuable cultural heritage site and protection of the environment. The letter of Agreement was signed on 5 April 2011 and the project became effective the same day. The Project is funded by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction and is Administered by the Asian Development Bank with the support of ADB s Thai and Cambodian Resident Missions Cultural Heritage, Environmental Protection and Tourism
INTRODUCTION (Cont) Total Project Cost: USD $2.1 million with the JFPR contribution being $1.9 million. The duration of the project is 41 months from April 2011 to September 2014 The project is being implemented by the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism in Phnom Penh and a multi Sector Project Implementing Team in and a Kampong Thom Province. 11 villages participate in the project with the aim of increasing incomes for 2,300 families. And 12,000 indirect and direct beneficiaries 9
GUIDING PRINCIPLES - COLLABORATION Work closely with Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, WASEDA University & Provincial Governors of Kampong Thom and UNESCO for the selection site. Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts worked with key partners especially UNESCO s to submission for SPK for World Heritage nomination. Building on UNESCO s previous community based projects to promote culture and fine arts Creative Industries Support Program Cultural Heritage, Environmental Protection and Tourism
GUIDING PRINCIPLES - COLLABORATION The project has closed collaboration with Ministry of Culture, and fine Airt, WASEDA University of Japan and local communities to ensure that market infrastructure did not negatively impact on the adjacent landholders, the communities use of riverside swimming areas, damage to monument remnants close to the site and conservation of existing forest within and adjacent to the site. Cultural Heritage, Environmental Protection and Tourism
PROJECT STRUCTURE COMPONENTS Component A: Technical Skill Training for processed foods & handicrafts Component B: Market Infrastructure processing facilities Component C: Business Development & micro credit Component D: Project Management, Auditing and Monitoring Cultural Heritage, Environmental Protection and Tourism
PROJECT STRUCTURE Benefit of Pro-poor Tourism Understanding the importance of SPK for future cultural heritage tourism Designed with clear reference to tourism value chain and handicraft and processed foods supply chains and support for micro & small enterprises Provision of specialized technical training to improve existing and design new products New and improved products for the tourist market include: Organic cashews, palm juice, soymilk, silk and rattan baskets Production facilities provided included: Cashew village shelling center, silk weaving center and basket weaving spaces at the tourist market, a night market and exhibition center in Kampong Thom, six on farm palm juice and soymilk micro processing facilities Cultural Heritage, Environmental Protection and Tourism
CONCLUSION The project has provided a successful model for responsible and sustainable development of Cambodia s important cultural heritage sites. Most importantly the project has demonstrated that strong and committed interagency collaboration at all levels is critical for the successful development of cultural heritage tourism Understanding the importance of SPK for future cultural heritage tourism The project has also demonstrated that Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) between government agencies, independent market operators and communities will sustain such developments. Cultural Heritage, Environmental Protection and Tourism
Thank You!